1st year coach with ?s on running plays & vertical

Question
I am a first-time volleyball coach for 5th - 8th grade girls. Their previous coach spent more time telling them what they couldn't do. Now, I want to show them what they are capable of doing. I would like to learn a couple of simple plays to teach the girls and I would like to know the best way to get their vertical jump going so they can spike.  I've never coached volleyball before this or had I ever attended a game. Learning as much as I have, I'm starting to love the game.

Answer
Good afternoon!

Can you tell me more sometime about the "plays" that you were talking about?

Have a great week!!!

Coach Houser

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Hey Coach!

Welcome to www.allexperts.com!  

PLAYS:  What exactly do you mean?  Are you talking about tandems? x plays? shoots? 31's?  

VERTICAL:  This should be a very low priority to you.  Yes, your players need to be in some kind of shape.  And when they can lunge the length of your gym, when they run the football stadium bleachers 10 times, when they run a mile in less than 10 minutes, then that's about all I'd want you to do.  Working specifically on their vertical is time-consuming and gives you very little in return.  

I recommend that you make sure that:
a) you have girls who can return serve.  Ideally, return serve to a target.
b) you teach your girls to serve in the court.  Underhand or overhand.  Who cares.  
If your girls can serve, while limiting the number of times they're aced, then you'll win a TON!  And neither requires jumping!  haha

c) you teach some of your girls how to set.  
d) you teach ALL your girls a proper 3-step spike approach.

We could continue to make the list!  But I would consider vertical no higher than wanting all your girl to run a 6 minute mile.  

Thank you again for visiting.  Now, would you do one thing for me?  Would you visit www.coachhouser.com?  Last summer my staff directed 9 site camps in AK, Va, DE and Pa.  They were so much fun!  Please consider having one of my staff members come to your school and direct a camp......any # of days, any # of hours per day!!  You choose!! We have just a few requirements.  The programs who have the $250 down payment to me by December 1st get first dibs on the available weeks!  

Chat anytime!
Coach Houser